As Palestinians aspire for a better life, many invest their hopes in Abu Mazen. Many others feel he would shatter their cause. Serene Mulham reports from Ramallah

Israel greeted the new year by killing seven children in the Gaza Strip, reports Khaled Amayreh from Ramallah

Palestinians brace themselves for elections even as Israel steps up its oppression, Erica Silverman reports from Ramallah

In 2005 Ariel Sharon will face the challenge of implementing his disengagement and Mahmoud Abbas that of resisting it, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem

Pressure is mounting on the Iraqi government to postpone the forthcoming elections, Omayma Abdel-Latif reports

Ahead of elections Nadhim Al-Jasour surveys Iraq's confusing political scene

In spite of protests by key Iraqi figures, the US occupation authorities and the Iraqi interim government insist on holding the elections on time, reports Nermeen Al-Mufti from Baghdad

Abbas Kadhim examines the tortuous contours of the Iraqi political map in 2004

The New Year holds out at least the promise of peace for Sudan. But how will the deal due to be signed next Sunday play out, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Not since the end of the civil war did Lebanon pass through such a tumultuous year. Cilia Nasser looks back

In 2004 Iran weathered storms both domestically and in its foreign relations, writes Rasha Saad

Saudi Arabia was the scene of violent terrorist attacks and the jailing of reformers, writes Rasheed Abou-Alsamh from Riyadh

Notes of 2004 by a diplomatic correspondent carry few lines on Pan-Arabism. Dina Ezzat flips through her rather slim writing pad